Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Räikkönen to Mexico, via Paris


According to AutoMoto365.com's sources, Kimi Räikkönen has just left Paris after spending several days with studious engineers from Citroën Racing. The objective of this exchange was primarily to analyze the performance produced by the Finn in the Swedish Rally, his 1st event in the Citroën Junior Team.

"The Swedish Rally was my 1st rally in a WRC. We finished in one piece: it was our objective and the most positive thing we got from the weekend. Of course, I made some stupid mistakes which we could have done without. We have paid dearly and they have severely damaged our results," said the driver after the Swedish race, eager to review his race to record personal progress as he considers it essential to his progress.

With the help of engineers from Citroën, Raikkonen has reviewed some of these damaging errors he made in Sweden and how they affected his C4 car. The ultimate goal of this work program is to guide the driver so that he begins to make progress at its 2nd rally, namely the Rally of Mexico which will be raced next week. This time addressing another surface - gravel - where Kimi has a little bit of experience thanks to his participation in Rally Finland last year.

His stay in France would have included a day of testing to finalize the preparations for the Mexican round. "Each kilometre that I travel with this car is very important. Plus, the more I improve my feeling with the car, the better it will be," Räikkönen claims. However, the driver finally came to an impasse on this test: he was suffering from pains in his back that were sufficiently disturbing to prevent him to take part on this session, but without endangering his participation in the upcoming rally.

Tomorrow, the Finn flies to Leon, where he will find 15 special stages plotted in dusty mountains of Central America, and some 7 Super Specials which will not displease him. Farewell nails, it's time for sombreros!

Source: Rallye Automoto365
Courtesy: hello86 @PF1
Translation/adaptation from French: Fran

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